Yacov Murey
Number of games in database: 594
Years covered: 1963 to 2015
Last FIDE rating: 2399(2306 rapid, 2322 blitz)
Highest rating achieved in database: 2450Overall record: +261 -157 =175 (58.8%)*
* Overall winning percentage = (wins+draws/2) / total games
Based on games in the database; may be incomplete.
1 exhibition game, odds game, etc. is excluded from this statistic.

Yacov (Jacob) Murey was awarded the GM title in 1987. He finished 3rd= at Hastings 1982-83, 2nd= at Marseille 1987 and 1st at the Seville Open 1987.
He also played for Israel in the Olympiad in 1984 but is probably best remembered for being a second to Viktor Korchnoi in his first World Championship Match in 1978 against Anatoly Karpov.

Yasha, a brilliant chess player and a most original chess thinker and analyst, was Viktor Korchnoi’s second at the famous (or notorious?) match between Korchnoi and Karpov in Baguio in 1978 – exactly 25 years ago!

Below are some of the highlights of Murei’s comments on that memorable event that he shared with me years ago.

“The funny thing was that Tal, my idol in my chess childhood, was Karpov’s second, and I was Korchnoi’s…Later I could never bring myself to forgive Tal this sin…”

“In Baguio Karpov was scared of me. Upon making a move he used to look from the stage at me, and I also looked straight into his eyes. He could not stand my stare losing this psychological battle each time…”

“When I remember Baguio, I experience two feelings: delight and disgust. As a chess professional I was overwhelmed with happiness to participate in this historic event. But thinking about what was happening there behind the scenes fills me up with bitterness and disgust. Too much hatred on both sides…”

“Korchnoi lost the match because he was too much involved into extra-chess activities. He should have focused only on chess, as Fischer had done playing against Spassky in 1972…”

“Viktor was totally manipulated by Petra Leeuwerik. I understand that after 10 years of Stalin’s camps she hated the Soviets, but she had learnt so many bad things from them. So, in Baguio she often insulted Korchnoi’s seconds, she was putting too much pressure on everyone…”

“Before the decisive 32nd game I asked Viktor not to play the Pirc. “Please, play the French! You haven’t lost a single French against Karpov in the two matches!” Unfortunately, Keene, Stean and Petra were already giving interviews anticipating Korchnoi’s victory…”

“After Korchnoi’s loss in the 32nd game I was crying. I wanted him so much to become World Champion! I said to Petra: “Now, Viktor’s son may die in Siberia” Her reply was shocking: “Let him die. Viktor left the USSR to live his own life!” I told Korchnoi her words. Korchnoi would not budge saying: “Well, I know her opinion…”

wordfunph: 11th Round Korchnoi-Petrosian Alekhine Memorial Tournament Moscow 1975: A few years after the game, Yakov Murey wrote to Viktor Korchnoi, "The game was won by three of us --- by me in the opening, by you in the middlegame, and by Spassky in the endgame."

TheFocus: <He looks like a tramp. He dresses badly and is not too clean. He doesn't know how to eat properly what's in front of him. He speaks only about chess, as if it is the most important thing in the world, and he talks about the game even with non-players who can't follow what he's saying. They think he's a madman. If you spend a couple of days with Murey, you forget that anything else exists in the world besides chess - it's a wonderful feeling. It is important to meet such people because then you realize how rich and deep the game really is> - Joel Lautier (on Jacob Murey).

NOTE: You need to pick a username and password to post a reply.
Getting your account takes less than a minute, totally anonymous,
and 100% free--plus, it
entitles you to features otherwise unavailable.
Pick your username now and join the chessgames community!
If you already have an account, you should
login now.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.

No spamming, advertising, or duplicating posts.

No personal attacks against other members.

Nothing in violation of United States law.

No posting personal information of members.

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform an administrator.

NOTE: Keep all discussion on the topic of this page.
This forum is for this specific player and nothing else. If you want to discuss chess in general, or
this site, you might try the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages
posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.